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VALENTINO'S MAGIC, MEMORIES, AND MANIA: Re-living the Randy Savage Madness via WWE's recent DVD release
Jun 25, 2009 - 2:30:57 PM |
By Shawn Valentino, Torch specialist
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a prepubescent boy lying in a hospital bed, aching in pain from the aftermath of the surgery removing my appendix. In an effort to distract me from my suffering, the lovely brunette nurse flipped through the channels on the television until she landed on a program that had captured the hearts of children of all ages everywhere, especially in my town, where the buzz of the recent record-breaking WrestleMania 3 captivated a city. It was Saturday morning on a warm spring day in Detroit, Michigan and Superstars of Wrestling was on. This was my introduction to professional wrestling and I was instantly hooked.
Even amidst the colorful characters that graced the screen and distracted me from my appendicitis agony, one man stood out beyond the rest. From the moment I heard the first tune of the regal instrumental introducing the entrance of a man whose presence was that of larger than life royalty, I knew I was witnessing something special. There he was in all his glory, the flash and the flamboyance and the pomp and the circumstance. His sparkly robes glistened in a dazzling light that befitted his stardom. His every movement suggested a man who oozed charisma and swagger. Almost equally as unforgettable was the luminous beauty by his side. Her very being exuded immeasurable sweetness and every time she smiled, your heart stopped, entranced by her graceful aura and raw vulnerability. In a world of giants, monsters, and madmen, she had the appearance of a classic movie star who mistakenly stumbled into the wrong set.
The sight of the two of them together was pure magic and this young boy suddenly had discovered his childhood idol as well as his first crush. For those of you were not lucky enough to share similar memories of this legendary performer, take it from someone who witnessed it firsthand. Pro wrestling's first couple, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, truly were something extraordinary and in my mind they were the most entertaining act of The Rock and Wrestling boom period. Thanks to the innovation of technology as well as the vast library of the WWE, all of us wrestling fans of that era are fortunate to be able to relive a bit of our youth by finally viewing the long-awaited Randy Savage DVD. Those of you newer fans may be even luckier because you are able to observe the greatness for the first time. When I purchased the volume, the lady at the register had this huge beaming grin on her face as she mentioned that she remembered The Macho Man from her own childhood.
You see, I was a part of the small minority of children of the eighties who were not Hulkamaniacs. In fact, even in the pre-Internet days, I was a savvy young fan who saw through The Hulkster's cheesy promos and formulaic matches. Thankfully, those of us who truly appreciated athleticism and edgier characters had a superstar we could look up to. Randy Savage was genuinely the total package of everything that makes a fantastic wrestler. He had sensational agility and a firm grasp on wrestling psychology. When he was at his best, his every moment in the ring was absolutely intensely gripping. Not only was he an incredible wrestler, but he also had excellent promo skills. When he spoke in his raspy voice and other-worldly delivery, you could not help but be glued to your television screen.
More than anything, Macho Man had that rare quality that only a handful of performers in the history of the industry were blessed with, and it was that unquantifiable charisma and "it factor" that separates the legends from the superstars. He was so unique and his presence was so electrifying that it is nearly impossible to cite a modern-day equivalent in this current wrestling world of bland characters that look like video game create-a-superstar templates. Savage had an aura that was right up there with Hogan, Rock, Austin, and Flair, and I feel if you dropped him in his prime into today's WWE Universe, he would unquestionably be the man to build the company around.
As it was, however, he happened to work in an era where the WWF was built around Hulkamania, but even so, Macho Madness created its own niche and became a bit of a cultural phenomenon of its own. He participated in some of the greatest feuds of the time period. His unparalleled intensity gave each rivalry a sense of realism that stood out in a very cartoonish era. His rivalries with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, and Ric Flair amongst others created some of the greatest wrestling classics of the era. Who could have forgotten Savage leaping from the top rope and shattering The Dragon's larynx? How about Roberts's pet python Damien literally biting him on national television? When The Nature Boy arrived in WWF, he and The Macho Man had a bitter feud over the honor of The Lovely Elizabeth. The "she was mine before she was yours" storyline was revolutionary at the time for its adult nature in the kid-friendly Federation. Even in the latter part of his career in WCW, he participated in a hostile grudge with Diamond Dallas Page that made DDP a star.
Macho Man's innate ability to portray a dangerous man who could snap at any moment made these disputes unforgettable. It is also worthy to note that Savage was arguably Hogan's greatest opponent, as nobody else seemed to be able to drag a great match of out him or shared the same chemistry with him like Macho Man. Their extended Mega Powers Explode storyline lasted nearly two years, and it was one of the most splendidly executed soap operas in the history of wrestling, full of drama, twists, turns and evolving character arcs. While Hogan played his lame one-note act that most fans ate up, it was Savage that made it work with his sensational ability to change from heel to face and back without losing the essence of his character. In this era of short-term booking and lack of story development, it is difficult for fans to imagine the thought and foresight that went into this unforgettable rivalry.
Not only were his feuds terrific, nobody was greater in big matches than Savage, as he repeatedly rose to the occasion when the event called for it. Before Shawn Michaels' series of classics at The Grandest Stage of All, Macho was Mr. WrestleMania. His brilliant encounter with Steamboat stole the show from Hulk and Andre, and was considered the greatest match in WWF history for years. His heart and perseverance were put on center stage when he won four matches to win his first WWF World Championship at WrestleMania IV. As discussed above, when the Mega Powers exploded at the fifth Mania, it blew off the best WWF storyline of the decade and may have been The Hulkster's best match ever. Savage pulled off another miracle at WrestleMania VII when he carried The Ultimate Warrior to his finest contest in a dramatic masterpiece that saw him reunite with Miss Elizabeth. The following year, he defeated Ric Flair to once again become Heavyweight Champion in another spectacular showcase. All of these legendary bouts are shown in pristine condition on the DVD collection and are worth the price of purchase alone.
At the height of his fame, there were times where Savage was the most popular wrestler in the planet, as he was equally as colorful and charismatic as Hogan but much cooler, and a more dynamic performer in the ring. He was a bridge between two eras because he was a larger than life cartoon character like so many eighties acts, but he was also a fabulous worker in the ring before Michaels and Bret Hart made it fashionable. It is not a stretch to say that before The Attitude Era, Savage was the second most famous wrestler in the world, and thanks to the WWF marketing machine as well as his own unique talents, Macho Man was a household name. This earned him mainstream endorsements such as Slim Jim as well as blockbuster film roles such as Bonesaw McGraw in Spiderman.
It is essential that we do not forget the importance of Miss Elizabeth to Savage's character. She was truly The First Lady of Wrestling and was a major star that was a true icon in a man's industry. Liz was the childhood crush of an entire generation of young boys who fell in love with her beauty and genuine sweetness. She could generate more emotion with a smile or look of concern than today's divas can with a strip show or a huricanrana. In a sport that is often perceived as low-brow entertainment and presents itself as such, Elizabeth projected an aura of class and sophistication that was a brilliant foil to Macho Man's manic frenzy. Rarely has the beauty and the beast dynamic been executed so expertly. The chemistry the two shared was truly magical and it worked both when Savage was an unhinged heel or a heroic babyface.
It is not a stretch to say that Liz was the heart of the Macho Man character as she loyally cared for him and presented herself with grace and dignity. Although Savage and Sensational Sherri also made a good team, something was missing in his character without the presence of his real life wife and manager. In an era where divas are all presented as cookie-cutter ex-strippers who happen to wrestle, it is difficult for today's fans to imagine the bond Elizabeth shared with WWF fans of the era. She did not do much but shyly smile or look fragile, but she had a special quality that made her a truly lovable woman and a unique legend in her own right.
Sadly, as we all know, Elizabeth suffered a tragic early death like so many other superstars of the era. In many ways, Savage has also been treated as a man who has disappeared from the planet by WWE historians. Thankfully, with the recently released DVD, whatever grudge Vince McMahon has with him has been overlooked in the best interest of wrestling fans everywhere. For those of you who did not grow up watching this phenomenal performer, you have the chance to discover what made him such an extraordinary talent. As for all of you fellow fans who remember what a spectacular wrestler that the Macho Man was in his prime, I am sure you will be smiling along with me as we take the trip down nostalgia lane and enjoy the magic and memories of Macho Madness.
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